3.6 Forces that Impact Political Participation

3 min read•november 1, 2020

kelly-cotton

AP Comparative Government 🗳️

90 resources

See Units

Topic 3.6 Forces that Impact Political Participation

In Topic 3.5, we focused on the nature and role of political participation in various regimes. We learned about the types of political participation, including voting and protests. We learned why participation can turn violent. In Topic 3.6, we will focus our attention on how political participation affects and is affected by authoritarian and democratic regimes. For this topic, a side by side comparison seems the best way to explore the information that you need to be successful on the exam!

Political Participation

Democratic Regimes	Authoritarian Regimes	Similarities of Both
Similarity: allows formal and informal participation- examples- F-casting votes, referenda I-protests, civil society. Example: UK direct election of legislature, referenda, civil society is established, protests have occurred (Brexit)	Similarity: allows formal and informal participation F-casting votes, referendal-protests, civil society. Example: Russia direct election of President, referenda, civil society exists, protests have occurred (20011 election)	Both authoritarian and democratic regimes regulate formal political participation by placing restrictions on voting access and disallowing disruptive and violent protests, but authoritarian regimes manage and limit citizen participation to a much greater extent. Example: Iran you must be 18 to vote for president or parliament. Russia passed legislation in 2012 to criminalize large gatherings.
Difference: citizens have more impact on policy making, more influence on government, more independence and freedom in regards to informal political participation. Example: Mexico direct election of President and multiple parties have now won the presidency since the 1990s. The Zapatista protests led directly to policy making to assist indeginous people.	Difference:citizens have less direct impact on policy making, less influence on government, and limited to no freedom in regards to informal political participationExample: Russia direct election of President, but no opposition party has won a presidential election in the modern era. Protests in Chechnya led to Russian troops invading and Putin appointed a leader to oversee Chechnya
Difference: elections are open and competitive, multi-party elections in which opposition parties have an opportunity to win the election. Example: Nigeria direct election of President and multiple parties have now won the presidency in the 21st century	Difference: elections are not open and competitive as there are few if any opposition parties who are allowed to run for office or have an opportunity to win the election; often there is government intervenes in order to ensure candidate or party win office. Example: China no elections for President, party decides President with no input from the people, no opposition party candidate
Difference: fewer restrictions on informal participation like protests and political criticism through media and internet is rarely censored. Mass protests are tolerated, individual rights and liberties are highly valued. Example: UK has state controlled media that can be critical, no restrictions on internet, if protests are not violent they are allowed.	Difference: multitude of restrictions on informal participation like protests and political criticism through media and internet is controlled by the government or censored, mass protests are not tolerated, public order valued more than individual rights and liberties/ Example: Iran controls media and during a recent protest shut down the internet for 6 days! Protests are typically put down violently and there is little toleration for widespread protest.	Both authoritarian and democratic regimes regulate formal political participation by placing restrictions on voting access and disallowing disruptive and violent protests, Example: Nigeria must be 18 and registered to vote

Formal and informal political participation exists in authoritarian and democratic regimes. The biggest difference between the two is that authoritarian regimes affect political participation, while democratic regimes are far more affected by political participation.

It is time to move onto Topic 3.7 which is focused on the extent to which regimes protect or restrict civil liberties and civil rights. This is a natural transition after our discussion of political participation in authoritarian and democratic regimes.

Browse Study Guides By Unit

👑Unit 1 – Political Systems, Regimes, & Governments

⚖️Unit 2 – Political Institutions

🙋‍♀️Unit 3 – Political Culture & Participation

3.0Unit 3 Overview: Political Culture & Participation

3.1Civil Society

3.2Political Culture

3.3Political Ideologies

3.4Political Beliefs and Values

3.5Nature and Role of Political Participation

3.6Forces that Impact Political Participation

3.7Civil Rights and Civil Liberties